Simcha Felder

[3] Early in his career, Felder served as chief of staff to Democratic New York State Assembly member Dov Hikind.

[7] During his tenure on the City Council, Felder gained popularity among his conservative Jewish constituents for advocating strongly on their behalf and for supporting Israel.

[8] Although personally opposed to homosexuality as being against Orthodox Judaism, he backed Christine Quinn for City Council Speaker in what was seen as a political move to gain allies.

[11][12] Felder has also gained attention by calling for better labeling of caffeine content in foods and beverages,[13] as well as a ban on the distribution of unsolicited fliers.

[15] In 2005, Felder crossed party lines to endorse then-Republican Mike Bloomberg in his bid for reelection as New York City mayor.

As a member of the Council's Land Use Committee, Felder was part of a group of New York state legislators that has consistently blocked plans to renovate United Nations headquarters, calling the UN anti-American and anti-Israel.

Even though incumbent David Storobin had won the seat in a special election, the GOP offered little support to him, and Felder handily defeated him.

[3] Brooklyn Democratic Party Chairman Frank Seddio called Felder's defection a "disgrace and a complete betrayal of his constituents.

He cast deciding votes against an immigration bill called the New York Dream Act, stated that ending stop-and-frisk was a mistake, opposed plastic bag fees, and supported Iran divestment and anti-BDS laws.

[35] In April 2018, other lawmakers accused Felder of "essentially holding the $168 billion budget hostage until the state agreed not to interfere with the curriculum at the private Jewish schools known as yeshivas".

[25] In June 2018, Democratic State Committee members approved an informal resolution recommending Felder's ouster from the party.

[25] Former state Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs, speaking to reporters afterward, reiterated their exasperation with Felder:[25] It's my belief is that the party is not merely a vessel for someone's personal ambition to take someone from where they are to where they want to be.

[42] On January 9, 2019, the Daily News reported that Felder had decided against caucusing with the Republicans, and was looking forward to rejoining the Senate Democrats "'at the appropriate time'".

Felder speaking at a press conference in 2021